Colne had 32 drapery stores in the 1950s

This week's picture from yesteryear is a nostalgic view of a business in Colne that for decades had a proud reputation for quality, value and, most of all, personal service to all its many customers over the years.

The rare 1950s photo is from the family archive of the local well-known Phillips' family and, indeed, here we can see the shops at Charles A. Phillips' establishment in Dockray Street during the firm's heyday. The three shops, managed by the genial Clifford Bird, were known throughout the area as highly noted and reputable during the post-war and beyond years.

At number 12 Dockray Street, was the ladieswear and drapery department; number 14 was the bedding, towels and baby linen shop and at number 16 was the carpets and furniture store, with the prestigious "Priory" and "Old Charm", being the brand names on the excellent furniture range.

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The shops were most competitive during the pre-superstore era; in Colne alone during the early 1950s were 32 drapers' shops (remember George Worrall's in Albert Road, Bertha Windle's in Church Street or the National Mill Stores of Market Street?)

How about furniture dealers? Well, there were 14 in Colne, including Harold Tobias in Keighley Road, Fred Smith in Church Street and R.H. Berry and Son of Dockray Street, founded in 1845 and still trading today down Windy Bank, with the friendly great grandson, Leslie Berry, at the helm.

The Phillips' shops, once so prominent in town, are today, sadly, no more. During the mid-1960s, my dear wife Ruth (back 45 years ago, my girlfriend) worked down Dockray Street at the Phillips' Emporium. She remembers happy times working at the busy shops with a truly friendly family ambience at all times from the popular manager, Clifford Bird and his courteous wife, Alice.

Today, in our high-powered 21st Century, lives the once ubiquitous family business is almost extinct. We who remember those years, sadly mourn their doleful demise.

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The owner of the land on which Blacko Tower (featured in last week's column) stands has asked us to point out there has been no public right of way to the landmark for many years and permission must be sought to go there, otherwise people will be trespassing on private land.

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